Hypertension-induced alterations in copper and zinc metabolism in Dahl rats.

It has been suggested that one risk factor in the development of hypertension and vascular disease may be abnormal copper and zinc metabolism. In the current study we tested the hypothesis that hypertension itself may result in alterations in the metabolism of these essential elements. Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed diets containing 0.4 or 8.0% NaCl for 32 days. At the conclusion of the study, blood pressure was significantly higher in the rats fed a high NaCl diet than in controls. Liver, kidney, and heart copper concentrations were significantly lower in the rats fed a high NaCl diet compared with controls, while plasma copper levels were higher. In contrast, tissue zinc levels were higher in the rats fed a high NaCl diet than in controls, while plasma zinc levels were lower. It is hypothesized that alterations in copper and zinc metabolism may be one factor underlying tissue damage in these animals.